Rutland Water week ending 22 April

6 months ago

Fish 3,111 (season 7,610) Returns 350 (1,154) Rod average 8.88 (6.59)

It’s been another excellent week at Rutland Water with both bank and boat anglers catching from many areas of the reservoir. The weather has swung from Baltic to balmy with last week’s temperatures rising to over 70° which was a very welcome change from the previous week when we endured freezing, foggy conditions.

The warmer weather brought a considerable surge in this year’s buzzer hatches. Although small, the actual numbers coming off have been amazing with clouds showing over the hedgerows and shoreline late evening.

Anglers are complimenting the fishery on the quality and condition of the stock fish which are a good size and the specimen overwintered fish are showing in good numbers.

Browns estimated up to 6lb have been caught with the best fish of the week, a lovely 6lb 12oz Brown going to Bob Sandford from Southend on Sea. Toff Crowther, a no stranger to big fish, had two 5lb specimens off the shoreline last Monday. The biggest Rainbow of the week weighed 6lb and fell to Alan Eastlake who boat fished Barnsdale Creek with a humungus luring the specimen.

We have seen a steady number of overwintered rainbows with fish up to 3-3½lb along with a number at 2lb or more.

Areas where fish are being found are diverse from Burley Reach all the way through to Sykes Lane in the North. Then the Finches all the way through to the green bank, depending on the wind direction on the peninsula; on the south side of the water Fantasy Island through to East Creek and then on to New Zealand Point, again for bank and boat anglers alike. Fish are feeding hard on small buzzer. Some are also feeding on bloodworm, snails and shrimp. Prospects are excellent.

Please bear in mind that all boats are booked over the weekend of 28 and 29 April but it’s worth calling 01780 686441 in case of cancellations.

Rutland Water’s popular Tuesday evening boat league starts on 8 May.

Competition news

Anglian Water Airflo International Northern Heat
The 2018 AWAI competition got off to a flying start with no less than 43 anglers catching their limit. The earliest bag was recorded at 11.55 am. The best fish weighed 3lb 8oz and was caught by Harry Fox fishing for Team Vision. Rick Cooper fishing for winning team Airflo Team Costa ‘A’ took the best bag at 34lb 9oz.

Congratulations to the five teams that now qualify for the Northern Final on 16 July.

The top five teams were

1st Airflo Team Costa ‘A’ 84 fish for 189lb 14oz

2nd The Renegades 82 fish for 181lb 1oz

3rd Team Vision 82 fish for 175lb 7oz

4th Northern Drifters 80 fish for 174lb 8oz

5th Airflo Team Costs ‘B’ 77 fish for 167lb 7oz

Weekly Stats

Best Rainbow: 6lb taken by Alan Eastlake

Best Brown: 6lb 12oz taken by Bob Sandford.

Best boat areas: Normanton, Barnsdale, Dickensons Bay, Green bank.

Best bank areas: Normanton, Church to Fantasy, Finches to Barnhill Creek.

Best methods: Bank – Floating line with nymphs/buzzers, weighted lures.

Best methods: Boat – As for bank but include various sinking lines with lures, large and small.
Mid week boat winner: D Mitchell.

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